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6.1.13

13 x 2013: Anjo Bolarda

WHAT: 13 Creators to Look Out for in 2013. The challenge was simple: Identify 13 x Artists / Creators / Designers who will be taking the year two thousand and thirteen by storm, and quiz them! About half of them were also nominated by their fellow practitioner in this endeavor, so it'll be a swell mix indeed! Read what they have to say, and check out the URL-links to their sites to check out more of their works!

Introducing: Anjo Bolarda!

BIO: "Anjo Bolarda is an artist born in, Manila. He grew up with japanese influences and vintage cartoons. He calls his style “Sukiyaki-Western” a marriage of Japanese art and Western graffiti and low brow illustrations. Being a multi-disciplined artist, and for him to make it easier to handle both commercial and contemporary demands. Anjo divided his works by creating different persona. Each persona shows different kind of art style. GunJuju focus more on black and white lines and geometric shapes inspired from Ukiyo-e wood cut prints, Navajo patterns and old medical illustrations." (Read more here)

TOYSREVIL: What is the one thing folks might not know you did in 2012.

ANJO BOLARDA: Haha November to December is crazy month for me. On the first week of November I got a chance to host the first Behance Portfolio Review in the Philippines with the help of my artist friends from 98B, was so happy that I got good feedback from Behance NY after haha it was worth it. It was a great experience for me to discover new talents and the promoter inside me is starting to grow haha.

ANJO BOLARDA: Then few days after the review, I went to Malaysia for a couple of weeks, Its actually my first time to fly outside the country haha after 25 years hahaha, I went to KL to have an exhibition with Martojaks Wayleon, ate a lot , tried all the best Mamak, get fat (deeymn the food x.x) makan every hour and meet a lot of artist and facebook friends ( turned out to be a grand meet-up for me). Thanks to Jay Lim of Tsubaki Studio and Cut Out Magazine for preparing some art activities for us and also to Si Juan for showcasing our works in Designers Weekend.

Then next flew to SG to visit few galleries and meet artist friends and also long lost bestfriends haha, then got a chance to see Steve Lawler and visit Kult 3DStudio/Gallery haha after 3 years of working with I finally met him in person haha. When I went back to Manila, Got a chance to meet these two artist Arkiv Vilmansa and Mas Shafreen.

TOYSREVIL: Share with us your most triumphant moment in 2012.

ANJO BOLARDA: Being invited to showcase my works in some exclusive art galleries and art fairs in Europe and New York. Because I am designers who makes commercial illustrations and never thought my works will qualify in contemporary illustrations.

ANJO BOLARDA: Also got a chance to showcase works with Berto Martinez, Conrad Roset, Charmaine Olivia, Chamo San and Joao Rua in a recent exhibition titled ROJO ROJO at Miscelania Gallery in Spain.

And lastly painting a huge jeepney with my friends..the biggest artwork I made so far haha within 2 days.

TOYSREVIL: What is your most favorite toy or piece of art you've seen in 2012?

ANJO BOLARDA: This 2009 toy by Graphicairlines X G999 (below left), saw it in Malaysia last month for the first time and fell in love with it. If piece of art I love this print titled “Duelists” by James Jean (below-right).

TOYSREVIL: Which is your single most favorite non-toy-related website in 2012.

ANJO BOLARDA: Facebook haha.. I met a lot of wonderful artist around the world because of it :D and also helped my career as an illustrator.

/////////////////////////LOOKING FORWARD/////////////////////////

TOYSREVIL: What is that one single word you would use to describe what you expect in 2013?

ANJO BOLARDA: Global.

TOYSREVIL: What are you most looking forward to in 2013?

ANJO BOLARDA: I’m excited to see new works from my artist friends especially from my art collective and also from hahaha … and also looking forward to STGCC … new toys and also hoping I could participate on the event soon :D

TOYSREVIL: Are You A Jedi Master or A Sith Lord?

ANJO BOLARDA: A Sith Lord of course hahaha

TOYSREVIL: Better to Tweet It? or Instagram It? or Facebook It?

ANJO BOLARDA: Instagram it, it’s easier to upload Work in Progress in Instagram and it connects directly to Facebook so no need to reupload works there hehehe :D

ANJO BOLARDA: I have a long list of plans for 2013 :D under Designers of Asia, Project Freeflow, Behance Philippines and 98B, INOTRI friends and also will curate some art collaborative projects, but I don’t want to spoil it so maybe will just surprise people hehe but one of the great things im preparing is my first solo exhibition, Date isn’t final yet but maybe mid next year, (fingers-crossed) I will keep everyone posted.

TOYSREVIL: What is that ONE word you hope to achieve for yourself by the end of 2013?

ANJO BOLARDA: Global

TOYSREVIL: Draw A Self Portrait With You As A "Snake" - interpret what you may!